East Belfast bonfire set alight two weeks before 12 in latest of series of arson attacks

Ballybeen's bonfire has been burned to the ground

Ballybeen bonfire set ablaze by arsonists nearly two weeks before July 12

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Ballybeen's bonfire has been set on fire on Sunday night amid tensions in east Belfast.

The blaze started shortly after 9pm and the structure was raised the ground 13 days before the 11th night deadline.

Several bonfire have been set alight early and names and images of people alleged to have carried out the arson attack have been circulating on social media.

The latest is in the fiercely loyalist Ballybeen estate in Dundonald, close the Parliament buidlings, Stormont.

A source said: “There is a risk for everyone involved. Often these bonfires are not structurally sound to start with. They are built weeks in advance of the 12th of July and then young people tend to guard them.

“But in recent days a number have beenn set on fire by elements from outside the loylaist community.

“These people are risking their welbeing by making that journey into these areas with this intention. I dread to think what would happen to them if they were caught.

“There needs to be a greater level of tolerance from everyone so we can live and let live.”